Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo Begins Campaign for President Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has announced the commencement of a campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections. The declaration was made public on Friday, marking the first significant political move of its kind ahead of the next presidential contest, more than two years before the polls.

Governor Okpebholo made the announcement during a public address, expressing his strong support for President Tinubu’s leadership and policies. He stated that his campaign efforts would focus on consolidating the achievements of the current administration and ensuring continuity of governance beyond 2027.

According to the governor, President Tinubu has demonstrated vision and capacity in steering the affairs of Nigeria, particularly in areas such as economic reform, infrastructure development, and national security. He praised Tinubu’s leadership as effective and transformative, saying it deserves another term for sustained progress.

Okpebholo’s early move to rally support for the president has caught many political observers by surprise, as most politicians typically wait until much closer to the election season to make such declarations. The governor, however, emphasized the importance of early mobilization, stating that long-term planning is essential to secure a successful re-election outcome for the president.

He further described President Tinubu as a unifying figure who has shown a commitment to inclusivity and national development. Okpebholo urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to begin working toward securing Tinubu’s second term, encouraging party loyalists to stay united and focused on the party’s long-term goals.

The governor’s endorsement has already begun to generate reactions from both political allies and opponents. Within the APC, several stakeholders have welcomed the move, seeing it as a proactive step toward solidifying the party’s base ahead of the next national elections. Others within the party, however, have called for a more measured approach, noting that many challenges still face the administration and that it is premature to focus on re-election at this stage.

Opposition parties have criticized the governor’s announcement, arguing that it reflects misplaced priorities. According to critics, the focus should remain on addressing pressing issues such as inflation, insecurity, and unemployment, rather than campaigning for re-election so early in the president’s first term.

Political analysts have also weighed in on the development, noting that while early support can build momentum, it also risks distracting from the administration’s immediate governance responsibilities. Some have described Okpebholo’s action as a strategic move to position himself as a key political ally of the president within the South-South region, potentially bolstering his own influence within the party hierarchy.

Governor Okpebholo, who only recently assumed office in Edo State, has been vocal in his support for the APC’s national leadership and policies. His early alignment with President Tinubu’s re-election campaign may also signal the beginning of broader political realignments within the ruling party.

As of now, President Tinubu has not officially declared his intention to seek a second term in 2027. However, the governor’s public endorsement may serve as an indicator of internal party momentum building in that direction.

With the 2027 elections still far ahead, the political landscape remains fluid. Okpebholo’s early declaration is expected to influence future political discourse and may encourage other key figures within the party to take definitive positions regarding the president’s political future.